Apparatus for installing continuous rows of fluorescent lighting fixtures



July 27, 1965 D. H. NlETz 3,197,178

APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING CONTINUOUS ROWS OF FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Jan. 8, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 NN\ N arme/wf? www July 27, 1965 D. H. NIE-rz 3,197,178

APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING CONTINUOUS Rows oF FLUoREscENT LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Jan. 8, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

00A/,440 /f /t//EZ July Z7, 1965 D. H. NIETz 3,197,178

APPARATUS FOR INSTALLING CONTINUOUS ROWS 0F FLUORESCENT LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Jan. 8, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 7

IN VEN TOR.

DOA/440 A. //ETZ United States Patent O 3,l97,l78 AEDPARATTUS FOR NS'IALLENG CNTNUUS EWS @F FLURESCENT Ll'GHl'NG FX- TUBES Donald H. Niets, 30 7th Ave. NE., Rochester, Iinn. Filed lian. S, 1964, Ser. No. 336,491 7 Claims, (Cl. 2544) The present invention relates generally to light I'ixture installing devices more speciiically to an apparatus for assembling, elevating and installing continuous rows of iluorescent lighting fixtures.

In recent years it has been a common practice in commercial lighting installations eg. in school classrooms etc. to form continuous rows of lichting fixtures from individual commercial units. The smaller fixtures are secured together to form continuous rows of lights, the lengths of which are often in excess of twenty feet. While such rows are not unusually heavy they are somewhat bulky to handle and usually require a number oi workers to assemble and raise the assembled units to a position of installation.

Due to the nature of the iixtures which are usually formed of lightweight sheet metal the xtures are frequently twisted or bent out of shape at the ends Where bolted together, if the rows are assembled on the floor, and raised by hand to their point of installation. Thus special attention is required to prevent warping and deformation of the units. Gtherwise, at least two workmen are required to raise the individual units and fasten them to the ceiling.

Another problem has been the lack of an adequate working surface on which such units can be assembled with a minimum amount of handling. For example the xtures are frequently installedin semi-finished buildings or structures thus providing a somewhat inadequate assembly area in which to work.

Thus in view of the above problems encountered in the art it is one object of the invention to provide a light ixture installing apparatus wherein individual fixtures can be laid out and assembled into prescribed rows on a convenient working surface and elevated with the surface to their position of installation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for installing electrical lighting fixtures which is easily portable, due to folding of component parts.

Yet another object Vof the invention is to provide an apparatus for installing continuous rows of electrical lighting iixtures which is easily manipulated by a single Worker and can be set up, taken down and moved to a new location in a minimum amount oi time and with a minimum amount of etlort.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for installing rows of uorescent lighting lixtures in which twisting and warping of the units is substantially obviated.

Other obiects and advantages will become apparent in the following specification and appended drawings in which:

FIG. l is a front elevational View of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

FG. 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the device of FGURE l;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the device of FIGURE l;

FlG. 4 is an isometric View of the moveable carriage employed in the device of FIGURE l;

FlG. 5 is a diagrammatic view or" the method of attaching the support wings of the device of FIGURE l to the moveable carriage;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one section of the 'support wing employed in the device of FIGURE l;

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FlG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the leveling device employed with the support Wing of FIGURES 2 and 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of one embodiment of an end member suitable for employment on the support wings of the device of FlGURE 2;

FG. 9 is an isometric view of another embodiment of an end member similar to the device of FIGURE 8;

FIG. l0 is a sectional view taken generally along line lll--l of FIGURE l of the device for attaching the winch employed in the device of FIGURE l;

FIG. ll is a sectional View ofthe device of FIGURE 1() taken generally along line lll- Ill oi that ligure;

FlG. 12 is a sectional view taken generally along line lZ-lz of FGURE l0; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the center member employed in the device of FIGURE l0.

Generally speaking the present apparatus allows light :fixtures to be laid out on suitable extension arms or wings, assembled, and elevated to the ceiling where they can be bolted or fastened to the same.

Previously it has required a minimum of two workers to hold an 8' fixture in position and fasten at ceiling after carrying up a step ladder to the ceiling which is normally about 8'6 to 9' high. Longer rows require at least one more workman per fixture. To be specific, a thirty-two foot row consisting of four eight foot nnitsrequires tour men and extreme care to lift the row up step ladders to the ceiling.

Lighting fixtures such as employed in the instant invention come in standard trade lengths which are four and eight feet. The iixtures are fastened to the ceiling by screws after they are bolted together and elevated into position to form a completed length or row, or are individually fastened to the ceiling and bolted together.

eferring now to the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the drawings. The installing apparatus lll as seen in FGURE l includes a portable elevator platform l2 on which is mounted a movable carriage ld. A pair of light ihtture extension arms or wings i6 is pivotaliy mounted on the carriage 14 as hereinafter described and project laterally oi the platform ll) when in a lixture supporting position.

The elevator platform lll includes a substantially rectangularY base li formed of front and side angle members 170. and l7b which are welded or otherwise secured together in a iixed relationship. Rollers or casters l are provided on the base ll and facilitate ease of manipulation of the elevator platform l@ during the process of in- Y stalling light lixtures.

Also provided on the front of the base ll' is an upright substantially H shaped frame 2li which is composed of ertically extending U shaped side angles and transverse or laterally extending bracing members or angles Zlib positioned therebetween. A pair of rearwardly and downwardly projecting angles tlc are provided between each side angle and the top of the base i7 to add rigidity and strength to the platform lil. l

As shown in FIGURES lI 3 and 4, the previously mentioned carriage i4 is designed for Vertical movement with respect to the H shaped frame member Ztl and is provided with a pair of guide rods 22 the ends of which project into slots Zlio in angles 2li@ when the carriagegll is positioned on the frame Ztl.' Y n l Movement ofthe carriage ld and wings 16 is atlorded by the provisions of a commercial boat trailer hoist or winch such as Model No. 29 as manufactured by Fulton Co., ot Milwaukee, Wisconsin and indicated generally by the numeral 24. A support rope or cable 26 is attached at its one end to the pulley of the winch 24 and at its opposite end to an eye bolt 2S on the carriage ld. rl`hus as the winch is operated by the crank 2da the cable 2d aromas n) which also extends over an idler pulley Si) on frame Ztl causes the carriage ffl to be lifted and also guided during its movement by the rods Z2.

Referring now to support wings E6 which are designed in such a way as to be easily assembled or collapsed as the need requires. Each support wing l includes a plurality of wing sections loa which are releaseably secured together to complete their respective wing 16 when the wing is in a support position. Similarly each section can be collapsed in such a way that the wing is folded accordian style alongside the elevator platform 12 and rests on the base I7 when transported. The latter position provides an apparatus which is compact, easily portable, and whose size permits its movement through standard size doorways.

The somewhat rectangular wing sections 15a are constructed of thinwall light weight tubular material including longitudinal strut members lieb, transverse connecting members les and diagonal bracing members ross bracing members 16d are also provided (see FIGURE 6) to give added rigidity to the wing.

Each wing section 16a is releaseably joined to a mating section loa by hinges 32 and screw type leveling adjustments 34.

The wings lo are attached to the carriage 14 by means of a support shaft 36 (see FIGURE 5) which projects through aligned openings in mating lugs 14e and 16e on the carriage i4 and the wings 16 respectively.

Each wing 16 is retained in a fixture support position by angle hook type leveling retainers indicated by the numeral 40. When the wings 16 are moved to a support position the angle hooks 40 which are pivotal on a shaft 37, project over the side angle bars 14b of the carriage lland have threaded ends on their shank 0b which allow each wing to be leveled with respect to the top surfaces of the carriage and the opposite wing. Thus the transverse members 16con each wing are in alignment and provide a bench or working surface on which a row of light fixtures such as 42 (FIGURE l) can be assembled. A suitable continuous but light weight plate or work surface can be secured to the top of wings 16 but in most practices may not be required.

The carriage 1d projects somewhat rearwardly of the H shaped frame 2) as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 and is formed of a plurality of angle members 14a, Mb and 14C. The angles 14a extend upwardly and are joined by transverse horizontal members Mb and 14C which form a rectangular support surface 15.

Similar side angle bars 14b and 14C are spaced apart below the suport surface 15 and it is on angle bars leb 0 that lugs lite are fastened to support the shafts 35 of wings lr6, the later being shown more specically in FIGURE 5.

The winch 24 for raising and lowering the carriage i4 is suitably attached to the frame Ztl as shown in FIGURES 10, 1l, l2 and 13. The winch 24 is attached to bars fic by bolts 24C' on a rotatable shaft 24.5. The shaft in turn being journaled for rotation in slots 24d in an outer fixed sleeve 24a welded between members Zibb on the frame 20. The slots 24d extend radially around the sleeve 24a and are provided with aligned upwardly projecting portions which receive the bars 24C when the winch 24 is swung to an outward or operative position. As the winch is operated to raise the carriage 14 the tension on the cable 26 causes the rotatable shaft 24b to be lifted and the bars 24e engage the projecting portions which prevent lateral displacement of the shaft Zeb and winch 214i. When the carriage le has been lowered however the bars 24C drop free of the projecting portions of the slots and thel winch 24 can be swung inward to an inoperative position as indicated by the arrow 25 of FIGURE l0.

In certain instances it may be desirable for additional length purposes to provide lighter end sections for the wings i6. The latter can be accomplished by the devices shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. A single U shaped bar 44 can be employed with sleeve type connectors 46 having thumb screws 4S to fasten the connector to the `end of an adjoining wing section and to the end member 44.

Similarly, the end member 48 of FIGURE 9 has upwardly and outwardly projecting struts 43a and connectors 46 with screws 48 for attachment to an adjoining wing section.

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus lli, the wings lo are moved to a support position from a collapsed position in which the sections loa are alongside the frame 2), the wings having been previously released by the leveling retainers 34 and angle hooks 40. The winch 24 is swung into position and operated by the handle 24a to move the carriage and wings to a desirable working level above the floor 5t). At this time the winch lock lever 5l is put into a lock position and a workman then proceeds to assemble the individual light units 4l into a row 42. When the latter is accomplished the winch lock 51 is released, the handle 24a is operated to elevate the carriage 14, arms lo, and row 42 into its recess S4 in the ceiling 52. The workman then places the winch lever S1 in a lock position and proceeds to attach the row 42 to the ceiling. When the attachment to the ceiling is completed the above process is repeated i.e. the carriage is lowered and the wings are either collapsed for movement to an adjoining room or remain in a support position to receive a new row of lights.

Thus in the above description I have presented a detailed description of my invention together with certain ways by which it can be carried out. It is not intended to limit the invention to the particular form shown but to include all such modifications as will occur to those skilled inthe art as evidenced by the scope of the appended claims.

Now therefore I claim:

il. In a light fixture installing apparatus the combination including, a portable elevator platform, a fixture support wing hinged to and moveably mounted on said platform and means cooperating with said platform and said wing for causing movement of said wing between a first position in which a fixture is received on said Wing and a second position in which said wing and said fixture are moved to a fixture installing position, and means for retaining said wing in said positions.

2. In a light fixture installing apparatus the combination including, a portable elevator platform, a first and a second support wing moveably mounted on said platform and hinged to said platform, said wings movable between a first fixture receiving position and a second fixture installing position, a retainer means movably mounted on said wings and cooperating with said wings to engage said platform and retain said wings in said positions, and means cooperating with said wings and said platform for causing said movement.

3. in a light fixture installing apparatus the combination including a portable elevator platform, said platform having an upright frame thereon, a first and a second light fixture support wing on said platform and each provided with a work surface movable between a collapsed position substantially parallel to said frame, a support position and a light fixture installing position normal to said frame, a Winch means on said platform for moving said wings between said support and said installing positions and means provided whereby said winch can be rotated about an axis on said frame between an operative and an inoperative position.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said platform includes a substantially vertical frame and wherein said wings when in said collapsed position are supported on said retaining means by said hinge on said frame substantially parallel thereto.

5. The device of claim 3 in which a hinge means is provided intermediate said wings and said platform and wherein a retainer means is provided for cooperation with said platform and said Wings to retain said wings in a xture support position.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said Winch is locked in at least one of said positions by the weight supported by said winch.

7. In a light fixture installing apparatus the combination including a portable elevator platform provided with a vertically movable carriage thereon, at least one xture support wing pivotal on said carriage between a rst substantially vertical position alongside said carriage and said platform and a second position in which said Wing is substantially normal to said carriage and said platform, a retainer means cooperating with said Wing and said carriage to retain said Wing in said second position, and means for causing movement of said carriage and said wing between said second position at which a fixture is received on said Wing and a third xture installing position.

Reterences Cited bythe Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS 302,102 7/84 Chesebro et al. 182-223 619,439 2/99 Riecke 182-63 X 2,428,184 9/47 Swindler 182-63 X 2,500,539 3/50 Granath 187-2 X 2,590,617 3/52 Henderson et al. 254-4 2,677,580 5/54 Minzenmayer 214-1 2,794,687 6/57 Harlan et al 24S- 404 X 2,983,474 5/61 Hanna 254-143 X 3,157,386 11/64 Higgins 254-4 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. IN A LIGH FIXTURE INSTALLING APPARTUS THE COMBINATION INCLUDING, A PORTABLE ELEVATOR PLATFORM A FIXTURE SUPPORT WING HINGED TO AND MOVEABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID PLATFORM AND SAID WING FOR CAUSE MOVEMENT OF SAID WING BETWEEN AA FIRST POSITION IN WHICH A FIXTURE IS RECEIVED ON SAID WING 